Abstract
The high biocompatibility, flexible nature, and adhesive effect of hydrogels are attractive properties for their application as controlled drug-delivery systems. On the other hand, hydrogels in the swollen state are characterized by a low mechanical strength, which represents an important limitation for their biomedical application. The incorporation of nanoparticles in hydrogels is a promising alternative to overcome this limitation, by which multiresponsive hydrogels with improved mechanical, physical, and biological properties may be obtained. The resulting chemical interactions between nanoparticles and the polymeric network can provide hydrogel nanocomposite systems that are characterized by a unique network structure. These systems may be defined as hydrated polymeric networks, physically or covalently crosslinked with one another and/or with nanoparticles. A wide range of nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes and ceramic, metal, polymeric, and liposomal nanoparticles, have been incorporated in hydrogels to obtain drug-delivery systems with superior properties and tailored functionality. In this chapter, general aspects and advances in the development, functionalization, characterization, and application of hydrogel nanocomposites are presented, focusing on drug-delivery systems.
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